east coast ICW, south of Chesapeake

any folks want to chat on their experience on this waterway

people sailed vs motored? percentage sailed?
found it hard to tack against the SW breeze at times?

favourite marinas?

any other thoughts appreciated too
thanks,

-Jonathan

[Fareast]

We left CT in Oct of 08 and we are now in Jacksonville. We were able to sail down NJ, however, it was very rough and we sailed a little in the Cheasapeake, Albemarle and a little in Pamlico sound. We stayed inside (except for outside NJ) the whole way. We wanted to expierence the ICW at least once. We are so glad we did. It can be challengeing in its own way with the depths and currents. We anchored out most of the time, and in many winter gales. It was a blast. I guess when we hit Morehead City and saw dolphins for the first time would be our best stay. We actually stayed for free at the Sanitary Rest., excellent food! We will continue south this fall, but it was without a doubt an expierence of a lifetime.

[PorFin]

We came North last summer from Brunswick GA up to the Hudson. A few things that are worth mentioning.

1. Get a Reed's Almanac or similar publication. Tidal changes within the ICW can run several feet.

2. Actual time under sail will be limited as noted above.

3. Recommend you use all resources available to plan your legs -- Active Captain is a good on line source for info on marinas and anchorages, but reliant on the quality of input from other users. Skipper Bob pubs are good as well, and the MapTech chartbooks are hard to beat.

4. Review NOTAMs to check on moved/missing nav aids, and for shoaling reports at inlets. We bumped several times in the center of the channel adjacent to inlets. Had we not read the NOTAM's we'd no doubt would've grounded.

5. Also review the NOTAMs for bridge closings and/or restrictions. You will encounter many bascule, lift and swing bridges along the way, and if you don't make allowances for opening times in you nav plan you may find yourself hovering for a while.

6. Don't forget to figure tidal currents into your planning.

Hope all goes well,
PF

[labatt]

We've done the stretch between Beaufort, NC and Norfolk, VA a couple of times now. We actually sailed this section quite a bit since there are a couple of larger bodies of water (like Albermarle Sound) along the way. What's the best advice I can give you? Ignore your chart plotter and stay between the buoys. Also note that the buoys are outside the channel, and there can be a fairly significant distance between the buoy and depth. On this particular stretch, we'd stay 20-30 ft from the markers to find depth, and we never saw below 11ft the entire way. Other good online publications include Cruiser’s Net | and BoatUS Club House Messageboards: East Coast Alerts.

great tips/knowledge, much appreciated
-JD

[CaptainForce]

Originally Posted by labatt

..... Ignore your chart plotter and stay between the buoys. Also note that the buoys are outside the channel, and there can be a fairly significant distance between the buoy and depth..........

Wise advice here fro, Labatt! We've been cruising at least some portion of the ICW every year since 1972 and agree that the markers should be respected as marking where not to go as well as were to go! As for the chart plotters....the real world always trumps cyber images! 'take care and joy, Aythya crew

[justified]

Jd
About ready to to leave for 2nd trip on ICW this yr. came up from charleton sc to ct in Aug, and now heading back down to kill devil hill nc next wknd for 1st leg of tramsport to the keys.
Labett is right on about markers you need to sight from marker to maker ahead, another thing to help stay in channel watch the crab pot bouys they are typiclly on the edges of the channel. the Maptech chartkits are a must, well worth the money. Get a ICW waterway guide that has al the milage and anchorages/marinas.
favorate places: Bluewater yatch center- hampton; Midway marina- coinjock(crabbies rest.); tuckahoe pt. anchrage(use lots of scope, Beautifull); Oreintal sc- marina and motel. those are all about a days trip apart.
sailing: not alot going S. except for Albemar sound and pemlico/nusse river, unless you have W. or NW then you can run with jib.
Enjoy your trip
Peter
"Justified"

[joethecobbler]

Traveled South from Hudson to Central Florida nov-dec 2007. Shallow draft so no depth issues. Almost always on the hook. Took the Virginia cut , Coinjock was very accomidating , Alligator River Marina was not-no services,no showers,and a dock master w/ a poor attitude.
Pungo creek (belhaven Area) has a small marina (who's name escapes me) single pier 2-300' long on the north shore just inside creek entrance, Inexpensive and very friendly, at the time they were planning expansion and replacing upland facilities.
Further south Oriental cannot be missed,they have a free dinghy dock,also small free city dock several wi-fi signals,some free some pay as you go, as well as an anchorage area.
Bucksport Marina just north of Geaorgetown was inexpensive ($1 a ft. overnight) or $150 a month !! It's my understanding that it is under new management and the rest. and bar are now open 7 days a week.
Georgia is best to go outside as the ICW winds and twists and is shallow. After you do it once you'll go outside afterwards. plenty of inlets in GA.
Spent christmas eve in Darien 8-10 miles up a creek, a little shrimp boat town w/ an historic fort nearby. City dockage available easy walk to grocery,etc.
Kilkenny GA. was another $1 a foot overnight. Not much there showers,1 washer and dryer, small store on sight-(soda ice cream chips) I believe they have diesel as well as gas. Restaurant nearby w/ dockage as well. otherwise 10-15 miles to supermarket.
Unless your sight seeing or just can't pass it up short hops up the coast would be my choice, as most of the services and such seem to be near the inlets and larger towns/cities , and of course no bridge issues.

[labatt]

Regarding Alligator River Marina - there are services there - bathrooms, showers, wireless. I do agree on the dockmaster though - she was less than friendly. In Coinjock, the restaurant at Coinjock Marina is good - with the 32oz Admiral's Cut Prime Rib - we ahre that between our entire family.

[Fareast]

Alligatorl River was so snoty with us on the phone, we just went right on by and anchored just before you enter the pungo canal. It was great.....